Celebrating Men and Boys
“The ultimate measure of a
man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he
stands at times of challenge and controversy” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr.
It is rather disturbing and disingenuous that in the discourse surrounding gender relations, the issues which are of concern to men are often kicked to the curb. Our general stereotype of men and masculinity often runs counter to having an enlightened engagement of men’s issues, and sadly those who advocate for men’s issues are frequently looked upon as strange. However, not to be daunted there is an urgent need for a concerted and sustained campaign to realign and re-balance the narrative to one of gender inclusiveness. Perhaps there is no better time to sit down and discuss men’s issues than International Men’s Day (IMD) which provides such a platform on which positive manhood can be celebrated. Needless to say we will never have gender equality if we continue to ignore the plight of any one sex. The ongoing gender debate in the society regarding the lack of male presence in our families and the general state of masculinity is often poisonous to the male gender, and this is certainly not beneficial in having a society which respects everyone regardless of one’s sex. We must never forget that there are good fathers, husbands and men in general. It bares thought that in order to bring awareness to the work and sacrifices of good men; we should celebrate Men and Boys, which interestingly is the theme for International Men’s Day (IMD) on November 19, 2017. Among the objectives of International Men’s Day (IMD) are; the improvement of gender relations, a focus on men’s and boy’s health, the promoting of gender equality and to highlight positive male role models. International Men’s Day is that one day that is set aside to commemorate the achievements and contribution of men in all spheres of the society; in their communities, families, marriage, and child care while recognizing the discrimination men experience.
Men’s Rights: Celebrating Men and Boys
According to a 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) research, male life expectancy at birth was 69 years compared to 75 years for women, therefore women on average live 5 years longer than men. Among the twenty causes of death listed by the 2015 WHO survey, prostate cancer, HIV/AIDS, violence, coronary heart attack are of particular concern to men. It is paradoxically to speak of a celebration of men and boys which addresses needs which are of concern to them. Our men and boys must be in good health for example in order to have this celebration. We need to revisit the culture in which men are socialized to bare pain and not to seek medical attention leading to a state of unwellness and oftentimes death. Another related area of concern for men is that of suicide rate. Males are particularly at risk at taking their lives, up to three times more likely than women, due to how they are socialized to be macho. Suicide in men has been described as a “silent epidemic”, epidemic because of its high incidence and substantial contribution to men’s mortality. This macho-induced model of socialization often runs counter to the perception of maleness and masculinity and prevents men from seeking the necessary help and or support in working out personal and relational issues which oftentimes are at the root of suicide.
There are some who will undoubtedly question what discrimination men face in the patriarchal society and indeed world; however, in most countries men still face prejudice in terms of family law, specifically as it relates to child custody. The tendency is for the family court system to award mothers’ custody of children. Defining masculinity and manhood is rather subjective and fluid. However, Linden Lewis defines masculinity as a socially construct of gendered behaviours and practices of men, which are not frozen in time or culture and which are mediated by notions of race, class, ethnicity, religion, age and sexual orientation. The fact is in order to have good men; the society must take on the role of mentoring our boys to become the good men. It is important that as men we seek to raise the awareness of issues which are of concern not only to men but to having a more harmonious gender relation. The discourse surrounding issues of gender and development is often imbalanced resulting in a void regarding the concerns of men and boys. It is imperative that as men we are given the space and time necessary to share our concerns, stories and achievements. Men and Boys ought to be celebrated! We should not forget the government’s role in relations to setting polices, one of which the National Gender Policy. The absence of the Male Desk is quite appalling as well as disturbing as the rights and concerns of men presently does not have an official voice through which to advocate on their behalf. The government can show its commitment to the celebration of men and boys by re-establishing the Male Desk at the Bureau of Gender Affairs which falls within the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports. There is undoubtedly a need for more research at the university level on men’s issues in order to assist the government to develop data driven gender policies which will address those specific concerns . The society also needs to create more spaces for male gender specialists given that females cannot adequately advocate on men issues. As we pause on International Men’s Day which was revived by Jerome Teelucksingh in 1999 to celebrate our collective masculinities in our men and boys, we also need to recognize our differences as well. We all have a role to play in commemorating this very special day, whether by organizing public seminars, engaging students and youngsters, having discussion with men on the corner, organizing a sporting event in your community, having a church service, having displays or volunteering to become a mentor. The time is now for men to recommit and plead their support in the campaign to improve gender relations in the Jamaican society. It is only by the constructive engagement of the male specie that we will be able to achieve Vision 2030 by making Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business. Jamaica joins the global community in wishing every male Happy International Men’s Day! In the powerful words of Henri-Frederic Amiel, it is not what he has, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
#InternationalMensDay #manhood #masculinity #mensrights
It is rather disturbing and disingenuous that in the discourse surrounding gender relations, the issues which are of concern to men are often kicked to the curb. Our general stereotype of men and masculinity often runs counter to having an enlightened engagement of men’s issues, and sadly those who advocate for men’s issues are frequently looked upon as strange. However, not to be daunted there is an urgent need for a concerted and sustained campaign to realign and re-balance the narrative to one of gender inclusiveness. Perhaps there is no better time to sit down and discuss men’s issues than International Men’s Day (IMD) which provides such a platform on which positive manhood can be celebrated. Needless to say we will never have gender equality if we continue to ignore the plight of any one sex. The ongoing gender debate in the society regarding the lack of male presence in our families and the general state of masculinity is often poisonous to the male gender, and this is certainly not beneficial in having a society which respects everyone regardless of one’s sex. We must never forget that there are good fathers, husbands and men in general. It bares thought that in order to bring awareness to the work and sacrifices of good men; we should celebrate Men and Boys, which interestingly is the theme for International Men’s Day (IMD) on November 19, 2017. Among the objectives of International Men’s Day (IMD) are; the improvement of gender relations, a focus on men’s and boy’s health, the promoting of gender equality and to highlight positive male role models. International Men’s Day is that one day that is set aside to commemorate the achievements and contribution of men in all spheres of the society; in their communities, families, marriage, and child care while recognizing the discrimination men experience.
Men’s Rights: Celebrating Men and Boys
According to a 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) research, male life expectancy at birth was 69 years compared to 75 years for women, therefore women on average live 5 years longer than men. Among the twenty causes of death listed by the 2015 WHO survey, prostate cancer, HIV/AIDS, violence, coronary heart attack are of particular concern to men. It is paradoxically to speak of a celebration of men and boys which addresses needs which are of concern to them. Our men and boys must be in good health for example in order to have this celebration. We need to revisit the culture in which men are socialized to bare pain and not to seek medical attention leading to a state of unwellness and oftentimes death. Another related area of concern for men is that of suicide rate. Males are particularly at risk at taking their lives, up to three times more likely than women, due to how they are socialized to be macho. Suicide in men has been described as a “silent epidemic”, epidemic because of its high incidence and substantial contribution to men’s mortality. This macho-induced model of socialization often runs counter to the perception of maleness and masculinity and prevents men from seeking the necessary help and or support in working out personal and relational issues which oftentimes are at the root of suicide.
There are some who will undoubtedly question what discrimination men face in the patriarchal society and indeed world; however, in most countries men still face prejudice in terms of family law, specifically as it relates to child custody. The tendency is for the family court system to award mothers’ custody of children. Defining masculinity and manhood is rather subjective and fluid. However, Linden Lewis defines masculinity as a socially construct of gendered behaviours and practices of men, which are not frozen in time or culture and which are mediated by notions of race, class, ethnicity, religion, age and sexual orientation. The fact is in order to have good men; the society must take on the role of mentoring our boys to become the good men. It is important that as men we seek to raise the awareness of issues which are of concern not only to men but to having a more harmonious gender relation. The discourse surrounding issues of gender and development is often imbalanced resulting in a void regarding the concerns of men and boys. It is imperative that as men we are given the space and time necessary to share our concerns, stories and achievements. Men and Boys ought to be celebrated! We should not forget the government’s role in relations to setting polices, one of which the National Gender Policy. The absence of the Male Desk is quite appalling as well as disturbing as the rights and concerns of men presently does not have an official voice through which to advocate on their behalf. The government can show its commitment to the celebration of men and boys by re-establishing the Male Desk at the Bureau of Gender Affairs which falls within the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports. There is undoubtedly a need for more research at the university level on men’s issues in order to assist the government to develop data driven gender policies which will address those specific concerns . The society also needs to create more spaces for male gender specialists given that females cannot adequately advocate on men issues. As we pause on International Men’s Day which was revived by Jerome Teelucksingh in 1999 to celebrate our collective masculinities in our men and boys, we also need to recognize our differences as well. We all have a role to play in commemorating this very special day, whether by organizing public seminars, engaging students and youngsters, having discussion with men on the corner, organizing a sporting event in your community, having a church service, having displays or volunteering to become a mentor. The time is now for men to recommit and plead their support in the campaign to improve gender relations in the Jamaican society. It is only by the constructive engagement of the male specie that we will be able to achieve Vision 2030 by making Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business. Jamaica joins the global community in wishing every male Happy International Men’s Day! In the powerful words of Henri-Frederic Amiel, it is not what he has, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
#InternationalMensDay #manhood #masculinity #mensrights
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